This page outlines some of our current work in the area of Education to employment

The evaluation of University Technical Colleges

NFER has been commissioned by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and the Edge Foundation to carry out a two-year evaluation of the project-based learning and employer-informed curriculum development and delivery aspects of University Technical Colleges (UTCs). We will use a case-study methodology supplemented by management information (MI) from the schools. We will also obtain survey data from students to add further insights into young people’s educational experience. Through detailed analysis of the case-study data and MI we will draw out evidence-based promising and effective practice and lessons learned for the benefit of UTCs and all schools and colleges. The purpose of the evaluation is to use the evidence to inform the development of resources for sharing good practice and lessons learnt about project-based learning and employer-informed curriculum development currently in use in UTCs to all UTCs and schools and colleges.

London Ambitions research

NFER is carrying out a research project, in partnership with London Councils, to identify emerging and promising practice in the delivery of careers education and guidance through London Ambitions. We will carry out qualitative case-study visits to six schools across three careers clusters in London. The aim is to produce an accessible guide for school senior leaders and teachers which provides evidence-based illustrations in planning, delivering, monitoring, evaluating and reviewing careers education and guidance within London Ambitions schools.